Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 223

Chapter 223

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Kaelani glanced down at her palm, the cut sealing before her eyes.

Garrick stepped forward.

Slowly, intentionally, he lowered himself to one knee before her and placed his hand over his heart.

“1, Garrick Blake, pledge my allegiance to Kaelani Blake of Silveredge. As Alpha. In loyalty. In service. In blood and bond.”

A murmur moved through the courtyard.

“I accept your pledge,” she said, stepping forward.

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“The banishment imposed upon you is lifted. You stand restored to Silveredge-bound to this pack beneath my authority.”

The air seemed to recalibrate as Garrick drew in a sharp breath, the pack link sending back into place.

He straightened slowly, something like disbelief softening into quiet gratitude.

“You will serve as Steward of Silveredge,” Kaelani continued. “You will advise. You will not lead.”

His chin dipped once.

“It would be an honor.”

Kaelani regarded Garrick for a moment, a shadow of a smile ghosting her lips. Then her gaze shifted to Brielle and Elara.

“Do you still object to my position as your Alpha?” she asked.

Elara stepped forward first, eyes narrowed. “I will never call you Alpha.”

She didn’t hesitate.

“Never.”

Kaelani held her gaze without heat. “Very well. Guards-?

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Every head lifted instantly.

“Take Christian to the holding cells. Restrain him. Then contact the Council and inform them that he is being held for attempted murder and is ready for transfer.”

Her eyes never left Elara.

“And escort them both beyond pack borders.”

As the guards moved to seize them, Elara jerked back, fury cutting through her shock.

“What about my things?” she demanded. “My clothes. My jewelry. My car.”

Kaelani regarded her coolly..

“We’ll conduct a review,” she said. “Anything purchased with pack funds remains with the pack. Anything bought with your own money may be collected.”

Elara’s expression faltered.

“I don’t have my own money,” she snapped.

Kaelani tilted her head slightly.

“Then it appears,” she said, “that you own nothing.”

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The color drained from Elata’s face.

“What?” she choked. “You can’t

The guards didn’t slow.

As they reached for her again, Elara tore herself free with a frantic twist, nearly tripping over her own heels in the process.

“Daddy,” she cried, scrambling toward Garrick. “Please-do something.

She clung to his arm with both hands now, fingers curling into the fabric like a child afraid of the dark.

“Don’t let her throw your little girl out to the wolves.”

There was no elegance left in her. No composure.

Only a frightened girl who had mistaken privilege for power-and was only now realizing the difference.

Garrick’s eyes lifted to Kaelani.

She held his gaze, steady and unreadable, yet he felt it all the same- right thing.

He turned back to Elara.

an unspoken expectation, a quiet trust that he would do the

Gently, he pried her fingers from his arm and took her hands in his own. His grip wasn’t harsh. It wasn’t dismissive.

“Elara,” he said, his voice low but firm, “you have to understand that things are going to be different now.”

She shook her head through tears. “Okay-okay-

”

“Kaelani is your Alpha,” he continued, not allowing her to rush past it. “And you will treat her as such.”

Her mouth trembled. “I… I understand.”

“Both of you,” he added, lifting his eyes to Brielle.

Brielle exhaled sharply through her nose, pride curdling her expression.

“I understand,” she forced out, the words scraping raw.

Garrick nodded once, something final settling into his posture.

“There are no more free rides,” he said. “No more inherited rank. No more protection from your own behavior.”

His gaze softened slightly as he looked back at Elara, but he did not fold.

“You will earn your keep here. Like everyone else.”

Those words struck Elara harder than exile itself.

Her shoulders folded inward, and this time she didn’t try to swallow the sound that left her throat. The crying wasn’t theatrical now. It wasn’t strategic.

It was the realization that the world she had always relied on where her name shielded her and her father excused her

gone.

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Chater 224-